And what I can do about it

“I want to clarify for you, fellow believers, the gospel I proclaimed. You received it and have taken your stand on it. I passed on what is most important, and have also received it:

that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

that He was buried,

that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve… then to over 500 at once… then to James, then to the apostles.

Last of all… He also appeared to me.

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective…

… So we proclaim and so you have believed.”

- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

What is most important?

Jesus Christ, the incarnate God, died for my sins. Rose from the dead. Lives today. And appears to me.

How have I taken my stand on it?

With repetitious prayers, shared likes for verse images, sporadic worship, rhetorical answers to life questions, petty requests for more, opening one eye to social injustice?

perhaps.

Yes,

And.

Being still and also present, brimming with gratitude, listening more than speaking, helping more than complaining, loving more than questioning, owning more than blaming.

Mostly that last one.

What is most important and where do I stand and what can I do about it?

I own that I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called one. My stance is firm on Jesus, unwavering, because it stumbled though the season of wretched redemption, tears drained and sweat swirled with blood. But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. So I proclaim,

and may you believe.

I proclaim that which is most important and I proclaim my stance on Christ and I proclaim how I got there and why and I proclaim acceptance to all people because of the grace I have received and I proclaim love to all people because of the love I have received and I proclaim gratitude because it is truly the only emotion I have the right to feel.

I pray my proclamations may bring others to believe and through their belief, have hope. Hope that the sun comes out in the morning. That joy comes after the rain. That peace can reign. That love conquers all. By God’s grace.

Yes,

And.

You and I owning our need for it.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner. Remind me who I am. What I am. That I am what I am, unashamed, filled with Grace, and therefore filled with divine power to proclaim those truths that are most important so others may believe. Amen.